Back rests for picture frames



Nov. 27, 1962 G. H. HULL.

BACK RESTS FOR PICTURE FRAMES Original Filed April 10, 1959 INVENTORGEORGE H. HULL HIS ATTORN'EYS 3,065,943 Patented Nov. 27, 1962 1 Claim.(Cl. 248-37) This invention relates to back rests for picture frames,display cases and the like for storing and displaying photographs,pictures in magazines, water color and 01]. paintings, reproductions ofthe same, picture postcards, stamp collections and other ornamentalobjects or displays.

This is a division of my application Ser. No. 805,393, filed April 10,1959, now Patent No. 2,954,630, which is a continuation-in-part of myapplication Ser. No. 733,926, filed May 8, 1958, now abandoned.

It is old to provide picture frames in which a picture can bedemountably inserted so that the picture can be removed and replaced asdesired. Such frames usually are imsily constructed and are not capableof serving both as a display device and a storage case and particularlyof enabling ready interchange of objects or articles to be displayedtherein.

As disclosed in my application Ser. No. 805,393, I have provided framesfor pictures, cases, trays and the like in which a plurality ofarticles, such as postcards, photographs, pages of magazines, artistcanvases or boards, and the like, can be supported and segregated orisolated from each other, the frames having an open side through whichat least one of the articles therein can be displayed. One side of theframe is hinged or movable to permit access to the interior thereof andto facilitate the interchange or removal of the articles.

Unique means are provided for holding the movable side or lid inposition when the frame is closed and at the same time enabling readyopening of the lid to gain access to the interior of the case forinsertion, changing or removal of the articles stored or displayedtherein.

In accordance with the present invention, 1 have provided novel andconvenient forms of back rests for supporting picture frames of the typedescribed above in an upright position on a table, shelf, mantel orother horizontal surface.

More particularly, the hack rests are constructed and arranged to engagesuitable openings in the backs of pic.-

ture frames to support them firmly in an upright position and with theirlonger sides vertical or horizontal, as may be desired.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may behad to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a frame having a back restthereupon embodying the present invention, with the lid thereof in apartially open position; and

FIGURE 2 is a rear perspective view of the frame shown in FIGURE 1,showing the new back rest therefor.

An illustrative form of picture frame 30 including a novel form of backrest embodying the present invention is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. Theframe has three fixed sides 31, 32 and 33 and a hinged fourth side 34,all of the sides being connected to a back board 35.

A peripheral groove 36 is formed in the sides of the frame for receivingan elastic member 37 by means of which the lid or side 34 is retained inclosed position. Also, an eye member 38 is attached to the lid or side34 for cooperation with a slot 39 in the back 35 of the frame to lockthe lid 34 in closed position.

A feature of the frame disclosed in FIGURES 1 and 2 is the provision ofa back rest 41 of novel type which may be used to hold the frame withits narrow edges vertical or horizontal, as may be desired. To that end,the back board 35 is provided with a pair of slots 41 and 42 disposedparallel to the frame edges 33 and 32, respectively, for receiving thedownwardly extending prongs 43 and 44 on a crossbar 45 on the back restmember 40. The crossbar 45 is connected to a generally L-shaped piece ofwire or rod 46 or the like, so that when the prongs 43 and 44 are hookedin the slot 41, for example, the shorter leg 46a of the rod engages theback board 35 of the frame while the longer leg 46b of the rod 46extends rearwardly to engage the top of a desk, table or otherhorizontal support. The back rest 40 may be formed of die cast plasticor metal, of metal or plastic rod, sheet or strip, as may be desired.The prongs 43 and 44 which extend generally parallel to the leg 46a andin the opposite direction are relatively thin and flat so that they willnot interfere with the pictures stored in the inner groove or rabbet 47in the frame. If desired, the prongs 43 and 44 and the crossbar may takethe form of a thin flange fixed to the L-shaped member at about thejunction of the legs 46a and 46b and extending outwardly from the leg46b in the opposite direction from the leg 4% but generally paralleltherewith. The ends of the legs of the L-shaped member 46, 46a and 46bmay be rounded, enlarged or provided with protective tips to preventscratching.

The frame 30 can be modified considerably, if desired. For example, oneof the narrower frame edges 31 or 33, rather than the longer frame edge34, can be hinged or movable relative to the back. Moreover, the back 35may be provided with an aperture 48 for receiving a nail or hook forhanging the frame or into which the eye 38 may be screwed. The slot 48may also coact with the eye 38 to lock the frame edge 31 in closedposition if it is used as the lid for the frame. Likewise, theperipheral groove 36 may be provided with pins (not shown) around whichthe elastic member 37 can be looped to hold the movable edge or lid 34closed. Moreover, if desired, the pins may be arranged near the upperends of the side members 31 and 33 so that they can be pushed into holesin the opposite ends of the lid 34, thereby to hold it in closedposition without the use of the elastic member 37.

Frames of the type described are simple, can be readily constructed witha minimum of expensive hardware fittings and are, nevertheless, verystrong and durable and serve the multiple purpose of storage and displaywith the maximum of protection of the article or articles therein.

It will be understood that the frames can be made of various types ofmaterials, including wood moldings, plastic or metal sheets andextrusions and the like, de-

ending upon requirements and the appearance sought. Accordingly, theforms of the invention described herein should be considered asillustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

A back rest for an article having an opening therein comprising agenerally L-shaped member having a short leg and a long leg, a crossbarfixed to said L-shaped member substantially at the juncture of saidlegs, and prongs at opposite ends of said crossbar extending substantially in a direction opposite to said short leg and substantiallyparallel therewith, said short leg being engageable with said articleand said prongs being adapted to extend through said opening, said shortleg and said prongs being engageable with opposite sides of saidarticle.

(References on foliowing page) 3 References Cited in the file of thispatent 2,448,580 4 2,611,427 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,954,630 896,753Peterson 1. Aug. 25, 1908 940,472 Oldenbusch NOV. 16, 1909 1,994,739Wright Mar. 19, 1935 5,312

4- Crosby Sept. 7, 1948 Du Mais Sept. 23, 1952 Hull Oct. 4, 1960 FOREIGNPATENTS Great Britain 1887

